Mark Scanlon's hopes of securing a medal in today's time trial at the European Under-23 Championships in Italy evaporated when the Sligoman experienced mechanical problems in the closing stages of the test. Scanlon, hoping to improve on his excellent tenth place finish last year, was looking set for a podium placing, but with 12 kilometres remaining his time trial handlebars snapped and he was forced to stop and change to a spare bike.
Badly delayed, Scanlon remounted and continued to the finish to record a time which was a minute and a half behind the eventual gold medallist. Ireland's other entrant Denis Lynch performed below expectations today and was outside the top 40.
Filed by Shane Murray
